Voice Acting

The Top Acting Schools for Performers in NYC

Tara Parachuk | December 23, 2020

Exterior facade of the Juilliard School in New York City

What do Jeff Bridges, Oscar Isaac, and Viola Davis have in common? They are all actors that studied the performing arts in New York City

New York City has a wide variety of options for actors who wish to perfect their skills and brush shoulders with fellow aspiring dramatic artists. But how can you determine which school is the right fit for you?

In this article

  1. Why New York?
  2. Acting Schools in NYC
  3. The Juilliard School
  4. Programs
  5. Tuition Cost
  6. Faculty
  7. New York University (NYU) – Tisch School of Arts
  8. Programs
  9. Tuition Cost
  10. Faculty
  11. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts
  12. Programs
  13. Tuition Costs
  14. Faculty
  15. Columbia University School of Arts
  16. Programs
  17. Tuition Costs
  18. Faculty
  19. Hofstra University
  20. Programs
  21. Tuition Costs
  22. Faculty
  23. Other Acting Options
  24. Herbert Berghof Studio
  25. Programs
  26. Tuition Costs
  27. Faculty
  28. Kimball Studio
  29. Programs
  30. Tuition Costs
  31. Faculty
  32. The Barrow Group (TBG)
  33. Programs
  34. Tuition Costs
  35. Faculty
  36. New York Acting School for Film & Television
  37. Programs
  38. Tuition Costs
  39. Faculty
  40. Abrons Arts Center – Henry Street Settlement
  41. Programs
  42. Tuition Costs
  43. Faculty
  44. The Benefits of Pursuing an Acting Career
  45. Factors to Consider
  46. Give Acting a Start

Your first step will probably be to conduct some of your own research into all of the acting schools based in the Big Apple. Find out the type of programs they offer, depending on whether you’re in search of a specific type of training or degree. You should also take other relevant factors into consideration, such as cost, teacher to student ratio, and reputation. 

So, if you’re prepared to live in the city that never sleeps and carve your path as a performer, read on to explore your wide array of options.

Why New York?

In many ways, New York City is the world’s hub for acting and the performing arts. It’s the city where you can see the best Broadway shows. Residents have access to resources, lucrative connections, and industry professionals.

As a result, it should come as no surprise that some of the best acting schools are based in New York.

Acting Schools in NYC

This list of acting schools in New York is in no way exhaustive, but it will help you get started on your own research. You can shortlist schools depending on your own requirements. 

The following universities offer a blend of degrees and short programs. We haven’t listed the schools in any particular order. 

Without further ado, here’s our list of the top acting schools in New York City.

The Juilliard School

This well-known school is located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Their programs enable students to achieve their full potential in the artistic field of their choosing.

Juilliard has educated renowned actors such as Anthony Mackie, Kevin Kline, and Laura Linney. They have an active and involved alumni community.

Programs

Juilliard offers:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts: four-year acting program
  • Master of Fine Arts: four-year acting program

They also offer evening classes, summer programs, and K-12 programs.

Tuition Cost

New and continuing students: $49,000 for the nine-month 2020-2021 academic year.

Faculty

Drama faculty at the Juilliard School include:

  • Tanya Barfield: Co-Director, Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program
  • Richard Feldman: Associate Director of the Drama Division
  • Rebecca Guy: Scene Study Project Director

New York University (NYU) – Tisch School of Arts

Established at NYU in 1965, the Tisch School of the Arts is like no other. The school offers a wide range of disciplines, including specialized programs in the cinematic, performing, and emerging media arts.

They have students from around the world who all congregate in New York City to hone their unique talents.

The Tisch main campus is located right in Manhattan. Students may also attend studio sessions and film shoots in different boroughs throughout New York City.

Familiar faces such as Kristen Bell, Adam Sandler, Alec Baldwin, and Philip Seymour Hoffman have graced their halls.

Programs

Programs include:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts – four-year acting program
  • Master of Fine Arts – four-year acting program

NYU also offers evening and summer classes, online study options, study abroad opportunities, K-12, and other special programs.

Tuition Cost

Tuition comes to about $54,000 per academic year, on average.

Faculty

Some of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts drama faculty include:

  • Allyson Green, BFA, MFA – Dean, Tisch School of the Arts
  • Christine Poggi, BA, MA, Ph.D. – Judy and Michael Steinhardt Director, Institute of Fine Arts and Professor of Fine Arts

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts has a nearly 140-year-long history in the field. The school’s philosophy encourages “an immersive educational experience.” It supports students as they gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamic art of acting.

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts also has a Los Angeles campus.

Some well-known actors that heeded the call to greatness and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts include Paul Rudd, Anne Hathaway, Robert Redford, and Danny DeVito.

Programs

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts offers a full-time, two-year Conservatory Program where students can continue their academic education. They can pursue an advanced four-year degree at one of their partner universities.

Other programs include summer, company, and youth programs. 

Tuition Costs

An average of $37,000 tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Faculty

Faculty include:

  • Sarah Ayon-White – Alexander Technique
  • Jennifer Leigh Mann – On-Camera Technique, Career Preparation, Audition Technique
  • David Dean Bottrell – Acting, On-Camera Technique

Columbia University School of Arts

The Columbia University School of Arts was founded in 1881. The first course it offered was in drawing. 

It established the Columbia Theatre Association in 1956. This Association provided professional-level experience to their students. 

Today, it offers four programs of study that include the Theatre MFA Program.

Famous actors who attended Columbia University include Katie Holmes, Jake Gyllenhaal, and James Franco. Franco moved to New York to attend three schools at once, including Columbia University.

Programs

They offer undergraduate and graduate programs. These include concentrations in acting, directing, and stage management. They also offer joint programs and summer programs.

The Columbia MFA Acting Program is a three-year program.

Tuition Costs

Tuition costs for their two major programs include:

  • First and second-year MFA students (all programs and concentrations) – $65,000, 2020–2021 academic year
  • Third, fourth- and fifth-year theatre MFA students (Research Arts) – $5,400, 2020–2021 academic year

Faculty

Faculty include:

  • Anne Bogart – Professor, Theatre
  • James Calleri – Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Theatre
  • Liz Hayes – Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Theatre
  • David Henry Hwang – Associate Professor, Theatre

Hofstra University

Located in Long Island, Hofstra University offers a dedicated faculty and small classes. Students get the opportunity to be a part of a comprehensive drama curriculum on a beautiful campus. It is an ideal choice for students interested in learning about all aspects of theatre.

Hofstra University aims to prepare its budding performers for employment in the theatre industry through hands-on programs. Attending its drama program includes the opportunity to participate in campus productions. These programs teach students how to be a productive part of a creative team.

Hofstra’s alumni include Christopher Walken, Susan Sullivan, Margaret Colin, and Peter Friedman.

Programs

Their curriculum includes a BA in Drama and BFA in Theater Arts – Performance.

  • BA Major in Drama: 39 – 45 semester hours
  • BFA Major in Theater Arts: four-year program including residency requirements

Tuition Costs

A yearly cost of approximately $50,000.

Faculty

Their faculty is passionate about teaching. More than 93% of Hofstra’s full-time faculty members have earned the highest degree in their fields. They include writers, scholars, artists, scientists, and professionals.

Other Acting Options

If a two- or four-year university program isn’t quite right for you, there are other institutions that offer classes for shorter sessions. This may be a more manageable, cost-effective option.

Herbert Berghof Studio

Created by theatre artists, HB Studio follows the acting principles championed by master teacher and actor Uta Hagen.

HB Studio offers a wide range of options when it comes to course duration. Students can choose from part-time weekly classes and workshops, or a full-time one-year program. 

Famous actors that trained at HB Studio include Debbie Allen, Anne Bancroft, Harvey Keitel, and Matthew Broderick.

Programs

Programs include:

  • Part-Time Classes (ten-week period divided into two five-week segments)
  • Actor’s Labs – one-week period
  • Core Training – full-time one-year program completed over three terms

Tuition Costs

Tuition costs for their various programs include:

  • Workshops – $195 for 3 sessions
  • Actor’s Lab – $850
  • Core Training – $13,500

Faculty

Faculty include:

  • Jim Boerlin
  • Victor Cruz
  • Liz Eckert
  • Laura Esterman

Kimball Studio

Kimball Studio places a focus on on-camera acting for television and movies. This female-run business offers some of the best acting classes in New York.

Their classes at Kimball Studio are small and aim to ensure that “every actor works in every class.”

Shows that feature Kimball Studio alumni include The BlacklistWalking Dead, The Americans, and Orange Is the New Black.

Programs

Programs include:

  • A three-month schedule
  • Five-pack or five-class sampler
  • Five-week on-camera improv

Kimball Studio also offers a five-week class for young actors (ages 14 – 17).

Tuition Costs

Tuition costs include:

  • Their three-month winter schedule – $325 per month
  • Five-Pack or five-class sampler – $325
  • Five-week on-camera improv – $325
  • Young actors five-week class – $325

Faculty

  • Kelly Kimball – Founder, Writer, and Consultant
  • Janine Ditullio – Partner, Emmy-nominated television writer
  • Julia Crockett – Instructor and actress

The Barrow Group (TBG)

Located in midtown Manhattan, The Barrow Group‘s mission is to “transform lives for the better.”

They offer courses in performing arts, film, developmental readings, and much more.

The Barrow Group is a non-profit organization, founded in 1986 by a group of actors and directors. They wanted to produce meaningful plays using a naturalistic mode of performance.

They have produced and/or developed over 150 shows.

TBG’s past company members and alumni include Vera Farmiga, Tony Hale, Sarita Choudury, and Sakina Jaffrey.

Programs

The Barrow Group offers both educational outreach and in-school programs, as well as online community programs.

Tuition Costs

The Barrow Group’s online community programs include:

  • Artist Conversations
  • First Fridays
  • Restorative Stories

They are all available free of charge.

Faculty

Staff members at The Barrow Group include:

  • Robert Serrell – Executive Director
  • Farrah Crane – Director of Education
  • Lee Brock – Founding Co-Artistic Director
  • Seth Barrish – Founding Co-Artistic Director

New York Acting School for Film & Television

Created by actor, writer, and producer Mark Stolzenberg, the New York Acting School for Film & Television offers unique and specialized classes. The school primarily specializes in training for commercials, television, and film.

The school also offers comedy and improv classes. Their classes train actors at all levels. They help to make their actors more comfortable in front of the camera.

The New York Acting School for Film & Television alumni acted in various shows. They include Orange Is the New BlackKevin Can WaitBlues Clues as well as appearances on the Investigation Discovery Channel.

Programs

The school offers Essentials and Advanced Classes, private sessions as well as several programs.

Tuition Costs

The cost of classes are:

  • Essentials (9 classes) – $575
  • Advanced (9 classes) – $575
  • Both Essentials & Advanced (18 classes) – $1,000

Their program costs include:

  • Star in a Movie (4 sessions) – $900
  • Commercials Class (2 classes) – $295
  • The Business of Acting (4 classes) – $300
  • Agent Showcase (4 classes) – $395
  • Master Class – $50
  • Accent Correction – $150 for 60 min and $500 for 4 sessions

One-on-one sessions are available at $250 for 60 min, $900 for 4 sessions.

They also offer special classes for children (under 12 years old) on weekends.

Faculty

Staff members include:

  • Karen Chrystal – Assistant Director and Faculty Member
  • Bernadette Fiorella – Faculty Member
  • Lynn Schulson – Faculty Member
  • Scarlett Antonia – Faculty Member

Abrons Arts Center – Henry Street Settlement

The Abrons Art Center is an all-inclusive establishment in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. They offer contemporary interdisciplinary arts programs and believe that art is essential for society.

They to transform communities through art by providing access to performance, presentations, residencies, exhibitions, and education programs.

The theater has included performances by George Burns, Eartha Kitt, Fred Astaire, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Programs

Their programs include a variety of adult, youth, and teen programs.

Tuition Costs

Tuition costs include a four-tier scale. It gives access to all students wishing to take part in their group classes.

  • A | $55,000 and Above | Full Price
  • B | $45,000-$54,999 | 25% Discount
  • C | $35,000-$44,999 | 50% Discount
  • D | Under $34,999 | 75% Discount

Their classes include a non-refundable $25 registration fee.

Faculty

Staff members include:

  • Beverly Acha
  • Rachel Alban
  • Katrina Albright
  • Julio Badel

The Benefits of Pursuing an Acting Career

Acting isn’t all about bright lights and fame. Developing a skillset in the performing arts can teach students multiple crucial life skills that include:

  • Creative problem-solving
  • Communication Skills
  • Teamwork
  • Commitment motivated by desire to improve oneself
  • Discipline
  • Punctuality
  • Flexibility
  • Learning as you go

Factors to Consider

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best acting school in New York to fit your needs.

  • Reputation: How many successful actors graduated from the school?
  • Tuition: Does it fit your budget?
  • Type of techniques or acting offered: Does it support the specialty you hope to pursue?
  • Class size: Does it allow for personalized attention?
  • Environment: Does it facilitate your learning style? How much acting is actually involved in each class?

Give Acting a Start

One of the best ways to get started in acting aside from embarking on a path toward an education in the performing arts is through trying your hand at voice acting. Completing voice over reads for internet ads, radio, and television are a few fantastic ways to ease into acting, especially if you’re not quite comfortable in front of the camera yet.

Voice acting allows you to find your voice. Get comfortable expressing yourself without the presence of a camera, and the rest will fall into place once you are placed in front of the camera.

Get personalized voice coaching and start earning while you learn the craft. When you create a Voices talent account, you’ll have the opportunity to explore all of these options and so much more.

Image credit: jordi2r – stock.adobe.com

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  • Avatar for Mbwalala lukas
    Mbwalala lukas
    September 10, 2021, 5:42 am

    I wanna application of acting movies

    Reply